CONFERENCE ON CHINA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25135, 17 March 1947, Page 7

CONFERENCE ON CHINA

PROPOSAL IN MOSCOW BY MOLOTOV

BEVIN SEEKS ADVICE FROM LONDON

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. “The British Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin) is seeking advice from London on how to reply to a letter from Mr Molotov suggesting the early opening of an informal conference on the way in which Britain, America, and Russia have fulfilled their agreement of December, 1945, to respect China’s integrity and not to interfere in Chinese internal affairs,” says the Moscow correspondent of “The Times.” “In view of Mr Bevin’s promise to the Dominions not to join in any Far Eastern discussions in Moscow, |us answer must depend on the exact scope of the proposed talks. If the three Powers simply present reports on how they have fulfilled the 1945 agreement in respect for Chinese integrity and non-interference in Chinese internal affairs, Mr Bevin will probably agree; but if it is to become an exchange of views or proposals on the Chinese internal situation, leading to fresh decisions, he. would find it very difficult.” The Communist leader (Generali Chou En-lai), broadcasting from Yenan, said the Chinese Communists approved as necessary and reasonable Mr Molotov’s proposal that Chinese affairs should be discussed at the Moscow Foreign Minister’s conference. General Chou En-lai added that the Communists would demand the same rights as the Chinese Government to send representatives to participate in the discussion.

“In a note transmitted through the Chinese Ambassador to Moscow, the Chinese Foreign Minister informed Mr Bevin and the United States Secretary of State (General Marshall) that China refused to agree to or participate in any discussion of the Chinese situation such as Mr Molotov had suggested,” says the “Sunday Times” correspondent in Moscow. “The Note requested the Foreign Ministers to cease discussion in any form of China’s internal affairs.”